An appeal for children’s books to fill the shelves of Westwood with Iford Primary School's new community library has been launched.

Key Stage One and Upper Key Stage Two fiction books are needed for the library, which opens this month to all children in the village who register for the service, not just children on the school roll.

The scheme was first proposed over two years ago, when a small extension to the school created space for a library and reading area.

Friends of Westwood School received funding from Bradford on Avon Area Board which went towards purchasing library software and hardware that will enable the school to function in a similar fashion to a public library.

Edmund Harrison, a parent and Friends committee member, said: “The library has been an exciting project to be involved with, and has changed significantly over the years.

"Initially our plan was pretty superficial but we quickly realised that a complete overhaul was needed and that prompted us to be more ambitious.

“Our aim is that a visit to the library will become an easy and natural every day event, and that all local children will be enthused to read more.

"We do not intend to replace or compete with the public library service, but we hope to complement it with a community service that is local and accessible.”

As the library will be staffed by volunteers, it will have limited opening hours during term times only, but these will be convenient for parents and carers, and will coincide with school pick up times.

The restocking is expected to be completed within the next two months, and it is hoped that the library will be fully open during the course of May.

Headteacher Ian Rockey said: “I have been very touched by the generosity and support of the local community during this project, including parents and non-parents, the Area Board and our local parish council.

“The children at the school are already really excited, and I hope we will be able to share that excitement with other children in the community, be they at other local schools, home educated or perhaps just staying with friends or grandparents locally.”